Carton closure tab crimping device



P 1960 R. K. GALLOWAY 2,953,884

CARTON CLOSURE TAB CRIMPING DEVICE Filed July 30, 1957 v3 Sheets-Sheet 1TIE--1 I58- I47- I46 C9 232 I45 I44 G- os I08 Q I INVENTOR 72 22 84ROBERT K. GALLOWAY ATTO RNEY Sept. 27, 1960 GALLOWAY 7 2,953,884

CARTON CLOSURE TAB CRIMPING DEVICE Filed July 50, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR ROBERT K. GALLOWAY ATTORNEY Sept. 27, 1960 R. K. GALLOWAY2,953,884

CARTON CLOSURE TAB CRIMPING DEVICE Filed July 30, 1957 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR ROBERT K. GALLOWAY BY w w ATTORNEY Unite 2,953,884 CARTONCLOSURE TAB CRIMPING DEVICE Filed July so, 1957, Ser. No. 675,160 17Claims. c1. s3-s74 This invention relates to cartons made of pasteboardor similar sheet material and relates more particularly to machines forprocessing such cartons.

A type of pasteboard carton in extensive commercial use, particularly inthe food processing industry, is characterized by closure flaps hingedlyconnected to and projecting from certain wall panels and from the coverof the carton, which flaps carry tabs adapted to be inserted into slitsin panels that are contiguous to the tab carrying flaps to secure thepanels in the positions that they occupy when the carton is filled andclosed. Experience with these cartons, however, has taught that theirtabs are apt to be dislodged from the slits within which they areintended to remain, with the result that in various marketing programsin which this type of carton is employed it has proven desirable ornecessary to individually wrap the filled cartons to make them capableof withstanding the handling to which they are apt to be subjected. Thisis particularlytrue in the frozen food industry wherein it is customaryto display the filled cartons for sale in open self-serve freezercabinets, thus making it important that the cartons be overwrapped orotherwise provided with means requiring destruction of or conspicuousdamage to a carton in order to gain access to the contents of thepackage. Obviously, overwrapping adds materially to the costs entailedin marketing a commodity in cartons of this type, not only because ofthe initial cost and the maintenance expense of overwrapping machinesbut also because of the cost of the wrapping material itself and thecost of the additional handling of the packages that is required toprogress them through an overwrapping machine.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved cartonprocessing machine.

Another object is to provide a machine for adding the capability ofresisting rough handling and tampering t cartons of the type employingtabs inserted through slits to retain the cartons in erected and/orclosed condition. Another object is to provide a machine for crimpingtabs of sheet material cartons in such a mannerthat when the tabs aresubsequently inserted into slits for the purpose of retaining thecartons in an erected and/ or closed condition the security with whichthe tabs are retained in the slits is greatly enhanced.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton tab crimpingdevice of the character described which is adapted for mounting upon,and for operation in conjunction with, an existing carton processingmachine in a manner that avoids interfering with operation of theexisting machine or interrupting or otherwise delaying the progressionof cartons or carton blanks through the same.

-marking or otherwise imprinting identifying indicia upon each cartonduring the performance of the crimping operation on the same.

Another object is to provide a carton tab crimping States Paten icedevice of the general character indicated which is of simple,inexpensive and durable construction, eflicient and positive inoperation and capable of continuous high speedoperation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in con junction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. l is the fragmentary plan of a carton processing machine showingtwo tab crimping devices of the present invention in cooperativeassociation therewith.

Fig.2 is a section along lines 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section showing parts of one of thetab crimping machines and taken along lines 33 of Fig. 1. i I.

Fig. 4 is an elevation, partly broken away, 'viewed as indicated by thearrows 4 of Fig. 3. v

Fig. 5 is a section along lines 5-5 of Fig. 3. j

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan of the mechanism shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective of a carton of one of the types upon which thecrimping device of the present invention is designed to operate.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 showing the locking tabs of thecarton after having been crimped by the devic of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a perspective, partly broken away, showing the positionsassumed by the crimped tabs to lock the cartonin closed condition.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged section along lines 10--10 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a section along lines 11--11 of Fig. 9.

'The carton tab crimping machine of the present invention performs acrimping operation upon the tabs of various types of pasteboard cartons,deforming the tabs in a manner that enhances the security with which thetabs become locked in position when they subsequently are insertedthrough slits in adjoining parts of the cartons to retain the parts inerected arrangement in the case of cartons wherein the tabs interconnecttwo angularly related wall panels. In the case of a carton wherein thecrimped tab is carried by a flap hinged to an edge of the cartons coverpanel and is adapted to be inserted through a slit in an end wall orthrough a slit in the front Wall of the carton, the tab deformationperformed by'the ma- 18, respectively, that cooperate with each other todefine the body 20 of the carton. End flaps 22 and 24' are hinged to theopposite ends of the front wall 16 and end flaps 26 and 28 are similarlyprovided at the ends of the rear wall 18. opposite ends of the topwall12, and somewhat longer closure flaps 34 and 36 (Figs. 9, 10 and 11) arehinged to'the ends of the bottom wall 14. The closure flap '30 (Figs. 7and 8) is provided with a pair of tabs 40' p'ro jecting from its distaledge and adapted to be inserted through slits 42 in the companionclosure flap 34 as the flaps 30 and 34 are folded to carton closingrelation. A

similar pair of tabs 44 on the closure flap 32 are adapted to beinserted through slits 46 (Figs. 9, 10 and 11) in the companion closureflap 36 as the flaps 32 and 36 are folded to closing relation.

Two spaced slits 48 extend from each slit 42, 46 to ward the distal edgeof the associated flap 34, 36, each Pa'tented Sept. 27, 1960 Closureflaps 30 and 32 are hinged :to

pair of slits 48 thus presenting a tongue 50 adapted to be flexed fromthe general plane of the associated closure flap 34, 36 to provideclearance space to accommodate the associated tab 40 or 44 as the casemight be, as will best be understood by observing the position of thetongues 50 in Figs. 9 and 10.

Because of the above-described relationship of two spaced slits 48 witheach tab-receiving slit 42, 46, the central part of the outer edge ofeach slit 42, 46, i.e., the central part of the edge farther from thehinged edge of the associated closure flap 34, 36, is defined by thefree end of the associated tongue 50, while each end of the outer edgeof each slit 42, 46 is defined by one edge 52 of a square corner 54, asbest shown in Figs. 7, .8 and 9.

A slit 56 is made in each tab 40, 44 extending inward thereof from thelateral edge of the tab that is farther from the companion tab on thesame closure flap 30 or 32 as the case might be. The slits 56 are inalignment with the distal edges of the closure flaps 30, 32 and thelength of each slit 56 is substantially the same as the length of theedge 52 of the associated corner 54.

Thus, each tab 40, 44 includes a wing 58 severed .along one edge 60(Fig. 9) from the remainder of the tab by the associated slit 56. Thetab crimping machine of the present invention is designed to offset thewings 58 of the locking tabs 40 and 44 in a manner that enhances to aconsiderable degree the security with which the tabs become lockedwithin the slits 42 or 46 as the case might be, when the closure flaps30, 34 and 32, 36 are closed.

A pair of tab crimping machines of the invention are indicated at 70 and70a, respectively, in Figs. 1 and 2 where the machines 70 and 70a areillustrated as being operatively mounted on a carton handling machine 72that includes an endless chain conveyor 74 adapted to advance filledcartons C in rapid succession. The conveyor 74 is trained around adriving sprocket 76 (Fig. 1) at one end of the conveyor 74 and around anidler sprocket 78 (Fig. 2) at the other end of the conveyor 74. Thedriving sprocket 76 is carried by a shaft 80 (Fig. 1) journalled in andextending transversely of the frame 82 of the carton handling machine72, and the idler sprocket 78 is carried by a similiar shaft (not shown)journalled in and extending transversely of the frame 82 at the oppositeend thereof.

The frame 82 comprises two vertical plates 84 and 84a disposed inspaced, parallel arrangement and each including an inwardly turnedflange 86 at its upper edge. These flanges 86 provide support foropposed, parallel angle bars 88 the horizontal flanges 90 of whichslidably Support the plates 92 of which the conveyor 74 is com posed.

The plates 92 are hingedly interconnected by pintle pins (not shown)that extend through hubs 94 that project from the plates in an inwarddirection with respect to the conveyor 74, i.e., the hubs 94 projectdownward from the plates 92 comprising the upper run of the conveyor 74while the hubs 94 project upward from the plates that comprise the lowerrun of the conveyor. Therefore, the hubs 94 are adapted to seat withinnotches 76a and 78a in the sprockets 76 and 78, respectively. In thismanner the conveyor 74 is positively keyed to the driving sprocket 76,this being an important factor in attaining dependable synchronizationof the crimping machines 70 and 700 with the conveyor 74.

The conveyor 74 is driven at suitable speed by a sprocket (Fig. 1) rigidwith the shaft 80 to which the driving sprocket 76 of the conveyor 74 islikewise rigidly secured. A chain 102 is trained around the sprocket 100and around a driving sprocket 104 (Fig. 2) rigidly secured to a shaft106 extending transversely of the frame 82 in a position intermediatethe ends of the same. The shaft 106 is jonrnalled in suitable bearings.(not shown) in gear housings 108 and 108a that are mounted abreast ofeach other on opposite sides of the frame 82. The shaft 106 is connectedby suitable bevel gears (not shown) within the housing 108a to avertical shaft 110 that is journalled in and extends both above andbelow the gear housing 108a. The shaft 110 is driven by a motor 112(Fig. 1) and speed reduction unit 114 to which the shaft 110 isconnected by a suitable sprocket and chain connection which is not shownbut which is enclosed within a suitable protective housing 116.

The conveyor 74 is provided at equally spaced intervals with pusherblocks 120, the space between blocks being substantially equal to thelength of one of the cartons C, i.e., the dimension of a carton C takenperpendicularly with respect to the front and rear walls 16 and 18,respectively, thereof. Consequently, the conveyor is adapted to advancea succession of the cartons C with the body 20 of each carton in suchposition that its longer axis extends transversely of the conveyor. Inthe present instance it is intended that the cartons be placed on theconveyor 74 after the cartons have been filled, with the ends of thecarton still open and with all flaps projecting laterally from the body20 in substantially the position illustrated in Fig. 7. It is thefunction of the carton handling machine 72 to close the carton byfolding the flaps inward and by tucking the locking tabs into the slitsinto which they are, respectively, intended to be received.

The flaps 22 and 24 of each carton are folded by two elongate blades 122and 122a mounted on the frame 82 in position for their outwardly curvedleading ends (i.e., the ends first encountered by an advancing carton C)to be engaged by the leading end flaps 22 and 24 of the carton so thatthe flaps are thereby folded inward as the body 20 of the carton entersthe space between the two opposed blades 122 and 122a. Shortlythereafter, the trailing end flaps 26 and 28 of the carton are foldedforward and inward by a pair of oppositely disposed discs 124 and 124acarried by vertical shafts 126 and 126a, respectively, suitably mountedin bearings (not shown) mounted on opposite sides of the frame 82. Eachof the discs 124 and 124a is notched to provide a fiapengaging edge 128,1280. The discs 124 and 124a are rotated by means presently to bedescribed, in counterclockwise and clockwise directions, respectively,as viewed in Fig. 1 and at a peripheral speed somewhat greater than thelinear speed of the conveyor 74. The discs 124 and 124a are rotated insuch timed relation with the conveyor that the flap-folding edges 128and 128a advance behind the trailing end flaps 26 and 28 of each cartonand fold these flaps forward and inward to their carton closingpositions.

The flap folding blades 122 and 122a and the flap folding discs 128 and128a are mounted in such position that they fold the flaps 22, 24, 26,and 28 of each carton before the carton reaches the tab crimpingmachines 70 and 70a. Therefore, when a carton reaches the tab crimpingmachines 70 and 70a only the closure flaps 30, 32, 34, and 36 projectlaterally from the body 20 of the carton. A carton is shown in thiscondition in Fig. 2.

The tab crimpers 70 and 70a of the invention are mounted on the gearhousings 108 and 108a, respectively, and each crimper includes avertical operating shaft. In the case of the cn'mper 70a its operatingshaft is the upper part 11011 of the shaft 110, the lower part of whichserves to connect the transverse shaft 106 to the source of drivingpower as hereinabove explained. In other respects, however, the two tabcrimping machines 70 and 70a are of similar construction and thereforethe following description of tab crimping machine 70 will serve as adescription of both.

The tab crimping machine 70 comprises a gear housing that is mounted forvertical adjustment upon two rods 142, the lower ends of which aresecured to a mount- .ing plate 144 that is rigidly secured by aplurality of ing 140. The upper part of the shaft -147 is joumalled inthe housing 140 in a manner permitting vertical adjustment of thehousing relative to the shaft as well as rotation of the shaft relativeto the housing 140.

The operating shafts 147 and 110a of both crimping machines 70 and 70aproject upward through and beyond the tops ofthe respective gearhousings 140 and 140a thereof. Sprockets 148 and 148a are rigidlysecured to the projecting upper ends of the operating shafts 147 and110a, respectively. Chains 149 and 149a (Fig. 2) are trained around thesprockets 148 and 148a, respectively, as well as around sprockets 150and 150a that are rigidly secured to the shafts 126 and 126a of the endflap closing discs 124 and 124a, respectively. This provides means foroperating the end flap closing discs 124 and 124a in synchronism withoperation of the conveyor 74 by which the cartons C are advanced.

A bevel gear 152 secured to the lower end of the shaft 147 is enmeshedwith a driving bevel gear 154 that is secured to the transverse shaft106 which, as hereinbefore explained, is connected by gears (not shown)to the shaft 110. The gears whereby the shaft 106 is. connected to thevertical shafts 110 and 147 are so selected that the two vertical shafts110 and 147 are rotated at the same rate, and since the shaft 106 alsoserves as the means for driving the conveyor 74 rotation of the shafts110 and 147 is synchronized with operation of the conveyor 74.

A bevel gear 156 (Fig. 2) splined to the shaft 147 within the housing140 is enmeshed with a bevel gear 158 that is rigidly secured to ahorizontal stub shaft 160 journalled in a side of the gear housing 140and projecting therefrom to a position above the conveyor 74. Preferablythe two stub shafts 160 of the tab crimping machines 70 and 70a are inaxial alignment with each other as this simplifies the matter ofsynchronizing both tab crimpers 70 and 70a with the conveyor 74.

A sleeve 162 (Figs. 3 and 4) is fitted to the projecting end of shaft160 and is secured in selected position of axial adjustment on the shaft160 by a key 164 and a set screw 166 tightened onto the key 164. Thesleeve 162 carries a radial flange 168 to which a disc 180 is secured bybolts 182, each of which is in threaded engagement with the disc 180 andextends through an arcuate slot 184 in the flange 168 to permit alimited degree of rotational adjustment of the disc 180 with relation tothe sleeve 162 when the bolts 182 are loosened. A rotor head 186 issecured to the disc 180 by a plurality of bolts 188. An annular bead 190on the disc 180 is received within a groove 191 formed in the adjacentface of the rotor head 186. I j

-A suitable number of tab crimping dies 192 are mounted within anarcuate recess 194 formed in the other face of the rotor head 186. Thesedies are individually secured to the rotor head 186 by bolts 196 whichare threaded'into the head 186 and extend loosely through arcuate slots198 in the dies to permit the dies to be individually adjustedcircumferentially of the rotor head 186 when the bolts 196 are loosenedand to rigidly secure the dies in selected positions of spacingtherebetween when the bolts 196 are tightened. At this point it shouldbe mentioned that when cartons having but a single locking tab on eachof the closure flaps are to be handled by the apparatus of the inventiononly one die 192 will be mounted on the head 186. In the presentinstance, however, two such dies 192 are employed upon the head 186inasmuch as there are two tabs 40, 44 on each closure flap 30, 32,respectively, of the carton C,

and it is desired to crimp both tabs on each of these closure flaps.Since the parts of the tabs 40 and 44 that are to crimped are the wings58, each of which is on that side, of the associated tab 40 or 44 whichis remote from the companion tab on the same closure flap, the two dies192 are of mirror image symmetrical form with respect to each other.Each die 192 comprises a base portion 200 within which the associatedslot 198 is formed and an upstanding ridge or bead 202 the outer or topsurface of which comprises the working face 204 ofthe die. The bead 202of each die consists of two parts disposed in angular relation to eachother, one part 206 extending circumferentially through an arc ofsubstantial extent and the other part 208 extending obliquely from thepart 206' as best seen in Fig. 6. The two angularly related parts 206and 208 of the bead 202 meet in a sharply defined outside corner 207.The two dies 192 are mounted on the rotor head 186 with the obliqueparts 208 of their respective beads adjacent each otherand with thecircume'.

ferentially extending parts 206 farther apart. Moreover, the two dies192 are adjusted so that the distance between the oblique parts 208corresponds to the spacing between the wings 58 on the two locking tabs40 or 44 on one of the closure flaps 30 or 32, as the case might be.

The peripheral surface of the rotor head 186 is pro vided with aplurality of radial openings or sockets 210 each of which is adapted toreceive a die or stamp 212 having a type face 214 or other means forimprinting.

or embossing indicia on the closure flap 30 or '32 of a carton as thecarton is progressed past the tab crimping machine. Such markings serveas code markings to indicate date of packing, the particular batch ofproduct from which the contents of a carton are packed, orothersignificant information. The marking dies 212 are re tained in operativeposition within their respective sockets 210 by being clamped betweenthe disc 180 and the roto'r head 186 when the bolts 188 are tightened.Furthermore, the bead 190 seats within a complementary groove 215 (Fig.4) formed in each of the dies 212 to assistin locking the die inoperative position. The sockets 210 are formed within a peripheralflange 216 of the rotor head 186 and a disc 218 fits within the circularrecess 220 that is defined by the flange 216. The inner ends of the dies212 abut against the outer surface of the disc 218, thus assuring properradial spacing of the type faces 214 of the marking dies 212 from theaxis of the rotor head 186.

An anvil mounting bracket 230 (Fig. 2) is mounted on the rods 142 forvertical adjustment below the gear housing and is adapted to be securedin selected position of vertical adjustment by setscrews 232. A rod 234projeots horizontally from the bracket 230 below the stub shaft and isrigidly secured to the bracket 230 in sc lected position of axialadjustment by a set screw 236; An anvil 238 in the form of a cylindricalroller is -rotatab'ly mounted upon the distal end of the rod 234 bymeans of a suitable antifriction bearing 240 (Fig. 3). The anvil 238comprises a rigid inrier cylindrical shell 242 and an outer cylindricalpad 244 of resiliently yieldable material such as rubber or rubber-likematerial. The diameter of the cylindrical anvil 238 is slightly lessthan the spacing between the top and bottom wall pan els 12 and 14,respectively, of the carton C, and the anvil mounting brackets 230 ofthe two crimping machines 70 and 70a are so adjusted on their-respectivesupport rods 142 that as a carton C advances past the tab crimpingmachines 70 and 70a, the closure flaps 30 and 34 at one end of thecarton pass above and below the anvil 238 of the crimping machine 70while the closure flap-s 32 and 36 at the other end of the cartonpass]above and below the anvil 238 of the other tab crimping machine 70a, asshown in Fig. 2.

44, respectively, are causedto pass between the rotor 7.. heads 186 andthe roller anvils 238 of the two tab crimp ing machines 70 and 70a,respectively.

The anvil 239 can be adjusted horizontally by loosening the associatedset screws 23.6 and sliding the rod 234 relatively to the bracket 2,36).In practical operation of .the apparatus, each anvil 238 should be in aposition directly below the associated rotor head 136 as shown in Figs.2 and 3. The parts are so adjusted that when one of the closure flaps 30and 32 passes between an anvil 238 and the associated rotor head 186 andwhen the latter is turned so as to dispose one of the dies 192 thereofin its lowest position, the working face 204 of the die will engage aportion of one of the locking tabs 40 or 44 and press the same sharplyinto the yielda'ole surface of the anvil 238. Inasmuch as the lockingtab and the closure flap are yieldably supported by the resilient anvilas they pass between the anvil and the die, a sharp line of crimping 246will be formed by the working face 204 of the die, causing that part ofthe tab which is engaged by the die to be permanently offset from thegeneral plane of the closure flap and the locking tab.

'The two crimping dies 192 on each rotor head 186 should be so adjustedthereon and relatively to each other that the sharp outside corners 207of the beads 202 of the dies 192 engage the tabs at the inner ends ofthe slits 56 therein, so that the lines of crimping 246 formed in thetabs extend from the inner ends of the slits 56 ohliquely to the distaledges of the tabs 48, as shown in Fig. .8. Thus, the part of each tabthat is offset from the remainder thereof and from the associatedClosure flap is the wing 58 at the outer lateral side of the tab andwhich is severed along the edge 60 of the wing from the distal edge ofthe flap.

It is apparent, therefore, that accurate synchronization of the rotationof the rotor heads 186 with respect to speed of the carton conveyor 74,accurate lateral adjustment of the rotor head 186 and of the anvils 238to suit the width of the particular size of cartons to be operated upon,and accurate positioning of the dies 192 on the rotor heads 186 areimportant desiderata in connection with successful practical operationof the tab crimping apparatus of the invention.

Synchronization of rotor head rotation with conveyor travel is attainedby proper selection of the gears 152, 154 and 156, 158 to cause therotor heads to experience one full turn while the conveyor advances thedistance equal to the space between the corresponding parts of each twoadjacent pusher blocks 12% on the conveyor. In this manner, completionof a full cycle of operation of each die-carrying rotor head 186 duringthe period required for each carton C to pass the crimping machines 70and 70a, is assured.

Lateral positioning of the rotor heads 136 in accordance with the widthof the cartons to be handled is attained by loosening each set screw 166(Fig. 3) and sliding the sleeves 162 and the rotor heads 186 carriedthereby along the shafts 160 until the outside edge (indicated at 250 inFig. 6) of the circumferential part 206 of the bead 202 of each die 192occupies a position wherein it will be aligned with the slits 56 at thebases of the tabs 40 and 44 and separating the locking wings 58 fromtheir respectively associated closure flaps. As previously mentioned,after such lateral adjustment of the rotor heads 186 has been completedthe anvils 238 should be adjusted laterally to dispose them directlyunder their respectively associated rotor heads 186 as illustrated inFigs. 2 and 5.

Rotational adjustment of the dies 192 to attain proper spacing betweenthe two dies on each rotor head is attained by loosening the bolts 196and sliding the dies circumferentially of the associated rotor head 186within the recess 194; and loosening the bolts 182 permits rotationaladjustment of each rotor head relative to its associated supportingsleev,e 162 and stub shaft 169 to cause the corners 207 of the dies toengage the two locking tabs at one end of each carton accurately at theinner ends of the slits 56, as hereinabove discussed.

The carton handling machine 72 is equipped with two fiap closing andflap inserting assemblies 260 and 260a, respectively, mounted abreast ofeach other at opposite sides of the conveyor '74 in such posit-ions thatafter a carton has passed the crimping machines 70 and 70a the closureflaps 39 and 34 are presented to the flap closing and tab insertingassembly 260 and the flaps 32 and 36 are presented to the opposite.assembly 260a. Inasmuch as the constructional details of the assemblies269 and 2642a do not constitute a part of the present invention ,thesedetails will not be set forth herein. Reference may be had to thecopending application of Robert K. Galloway, Serial No. 581,402, now US.Patent No. 2,906,392 for explanation of these details, but it willsuffice for the purposes of the present disclosure to state that as acarton progresses past the assemblies 260 and 260a, its lower closureflaps 34 and 36 will be folded upward and inward by the assemblies 269and 2600, respectively, and thereafter the upper closure flaps 30 and 32will be folded downward and inward by the assemblies 265 and 260a. Assuch folding of the upper flaps 30 and 32 occurs the tabs 40 and 44,respectively, are

inserted into and through the slits 42 and 46, respective- 'ly, causingthe parts of the carton to assume the carton closing arrangementillustrated in Figs. 9, l0 and 11.

An advantage derived from subjecting the tabs 40 and 44 to the abovedescribed crimping operation is that after such crimping, the wing 58that constitutes one lateral side of each locking tab 40 or 44, as thecase might be, is offset inwardly of the carton as shown in Fig. 9. Thethus exposed edge 6% of the wing will not be in alignment with therespectively associated slit 42 or 46 as would be the case were the wing58 still in alignment with the remainder of the tab and its supportingclosure flaps. On the contrary, when the wing 58 is offset, asdescribed, and when the carton is subjected to forces tending towithdraw the tab from its associated slit, the edge 60 of the wing 58will engage the edge 52 of the square corner defined by one of the slits48 and one end of the associated tab receiving slits 42 or 46 as thecase might be. Such engagement between the edges 60 and 52 will preventthe tab from being withdrawn from the slit 42 or 46 and thus effectivelylock the closure tab in carton closing arrangement with such a degree ofsecurity that the capability of the carton of resisting rough handlingis substantially increased. Furthermore, because of the latching type ofinterengagement between the edges 60 and 52, another advantage derivedfrom the present invention is that before access can be had to thecontents of a carton operated upon by the crimping machines 70 and 70ait will be necessary to destroy or at least conspicuously mutilate thecarton.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed herein, it is to be understood that various changes may bemade in the construction and arrangement of the apparatus withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

Having thus described the invention, that which is believed to be newand for which protection by Letters Patent is desired, is:

1. Apparatus for forming a locking offset on a tab projecting from aclosure flap of a sheet material carton, said tab having a laterallyprojecting wing severed along one edge from the remainder of the carton,comprising means for locating the carton with the closure flap and tabin predetermined position, a crimping die and an anvil mounted incooperative association with said locating means to engage the tabtherebetween with an edge of the die extending from the distal edge ofthe tab to said severed edge of the wing, and means for operating thedie to exert crimping pressure on the tab to crimp the tab along saidedge of the die and thereby offsetthe wing from the general plane of thetab.

2. Apparatus for forming a locking offset on a tab carried by a part ofa sheet material article adapted for use as a carton, said tab beingadapted for insertion through a slit in another part of the article tointerconnect the parts in assembled relation and including a laterallyprojecting wing severed along one edge from the remainder of the carton,comprising means for locating the article with the tab and wing disposedin a predetermined position, a deforming die and an anvil mounted toengage the wing therebetween while the wing is in said predeterminedposition and for the anvil to engage a part of the tab adjacent the wingand cleared by the die, and means for forcing the die toward the anvilto crimp the material of the tab in the. region of the juncture of thewing therewith and thereby to offset the Wing from the general plane ofthe tab.

3.. Apparatus for deforming part of a tab on a closure flap of a sheetmaterial carton to form a'locking offset on the tab, comprising meansfor advancing the carton with a flap and tab thereof projecting from thebody of the carton, resilient anvil means mounted adjacent saidadvancing means in position to engage and support the tab asthe cartonadvances past said anvil means, a die operably mounted adjacent saidadvancing means in position to engage and exert embossing pressure uponpart of said tab while.the tab is supported by the anvil means, andmeans for operating the die in timed relation with said carton advancingmeans. '4. Apparatus for deforming a tab on a closure flap of a sheetmaterial carton to form a locking offset on the tab, comprising meansfor advancing the carton with a flap and tab thereof projecting from'thebody of the carton, a deforming die operably mounted adjacent saidcarton advancing means in position to engage and exert embossingpressure on, one face of part of the tab as the carton is advanced pastthe deforming die and to clear the remainder. of the tab, means foroperating the die in timed relation with said carton advancing means,and anvil 'means mounted adjacent said carton advancing means inposition to engage the opposite face of said remainder of the tab whilesaid tab is engaged by the die and to support said remainder of the tabwhile the die crimps the tab between the said die-engaged part of thetab and the said remainder of the tab.

5. Apparatus for deforming a tab on a closure flap of a sheet materialcarton to form a locking offset in the tab, comprising means foradvancing the carton with the closure flap and tab projecting from thebody of the carton, a deforming die operably mounted adjacent the cartonadvancing means in position to engage part of the tab on one face of thetab while remaining clear of the remainder of the tab, means operatingin timed relation with said carton advancing means for actuating the dieto exert embossing pressure on said part of the tab, and anvil meanscomprising a cylindrical roller having a resiliently yieldableperipheral surface and means rotatably mounting said roller adjacentsaid carton advancing means in position to engage the opposite face ofthe tab and to resist movement by the die of the part of the tab that iscleared by the die.

6. In a carton closing machine, a conveyor adapted to advance cartons ina predetermined path, carton positioning means thereon for holding acarton with upper and lower closure flaps projecting from an end'of thebody of the carton laterally with respect to the conveyor and invertically spaced relation, anvil means mounted adjacent the conveyor inposition for said flaps to pass on opposite sides of the anvil meansduring advance of the carton by the conveyor, tab crimping means mountedadjacent the conveyor in opposed relation to said anvil means, meansoperating in timed relation with said conveyor for actuating thecrimping means while the flaps are adjacent the anvil means to press oneof the flaps against the anvil and tocrimp an offset in a locking tabonsaid one flap, and carton closing means mounted adjacent the conveyorand operative subsequently to their passage beyond said anvil means andsaid crimping means to close said flaps and to insert the crirnped tabthrough a slit in the other closure flap.

7. In a carton closing machine, the combination com: prising a conveyoradapted to advance a carton with two spaced apart closure flapsprojecting from the body of the carton, an anvil mounted adjacent theconveyor in position to support one of the flaps as the carton advancespast the -anvil,-a crimping die operably mounted adjacent the conveyorin position to engage a predetermined part of a locking tab on said oneflap while said one flap is in position to be supported by the anvil,means operable while said one flap is supported by the anvil for movingthe die toward the anvil to press said part of the tab into the anviland thereby to crimp the tab along an edge of the die to offset saidpart of the tab from the general plane of said one flap and tab, andcarton closing means mounted adjacent the conveyor in position to closesaid flaps after offsetting of said tab part and to insert the crirnpedtab through a slit in the other flap. 8. A carton closing machinecomprising the combination of -a conveyor for advancing a succession ofcartons in a predetermined path with two closure flaps of each cartonprojecting laterally from the body of the carton, a rotor head rotatablymounted adjacent the conveyor, means for rotating the head in timedrelation with the 'conveyor, a crimping die carried by said head, meanson the conveyor for indexing the cartons thereon with relation to saiddie to dispose a tab on one of the closure flaps of each carton inposition to be engaged by said die as the carton is carried past thesame, an anvil mounted adjacent said conveyor in position to supportsaid one flap of each carton while the tab thereof is engaged by saidcrimping die, and flap closing means mounted adjacent the conveyor forengagement by the flaps of each carton subsequently to engagement of thetab thereof by said crimping die and to insert the tab through a slit inthe other closure flap of the same carton.

' 9. In carton handling apparatus including carton closing means andmeans for conveying to and past the closing means a succession ofcartons each of which includes vertically spaced closure flapsprojecting laterally therefrom and a locking tab carried by one of saidflaps and adapted for insertion into a slit in the other flap, a taboffsetting mechanism including an anvil mounted adjacent the conveyingmeans in position to be engaged by the locking tabs of the cartons asthey approach the closing means, a head rotatably mounted adjacent theconveying means in opposed relation to said anvil, a crimping diecarried by said head, and means for rotating the head in timed relationwith the conveying means to engage the locking tab of each cartonbetween the die and the anvil as the carton advances, said die includinga body portion and working face upstanding therefrom adapted to presspart of the tab into the anvil temporarily to offset said part from thegeneral plane of the closure flap by which the tab is carried.

10. Tab offsetting mechanism as set forth in claim 9 wherein the anvilis a rotatably mounted cylinder.

11. Tab offsetting mechanism as set forth in claim 10 wherein thecylindrical anvil includes a cushion of resiliently yieldable materialdefining the peripheral surface of the anvil and into which the part ofthe tab engaged by the working face of the die is temporarily embedded.

12. Apparatus for handling sheet material cartons of the type having aflap with a locking tab projecting therefrom, comprising means foradvancing a carton with the flap and closure tab thereof projecting fromthe body of the carton, resilient anvil means mounted adjacent saidadvancing means in position to support the flap and the tab as thecarton advances past said anvil means, a tab deforming die operablymounted adjacent said advancing means in position to engage and exertcrimping pressure upon part of said tab while the tab is supported bythe anvil means to offset part of the tab with relation to the remainderof the tab, a marking die operably mounted adjacent the advancing meansin position to engage and mark indicia upon part of the flap while theflap is supported by said anvil means, means for operating the dies intimed relation with said carton advancing means.

13. A carton closing machine com-prising the combination of a conveyorfor advancing a succession of cartons in a predetermined path with anopen closure flap of each carton projecting laterally from the body ofthe carton, a rotor head rotatably mounted adjacent the conveyor, meansfor rotating the head in timed relation with the conveyor, a crimpingdie carried by said head, a marking die carried by said head, means onthe conveyor for indexing the cartons thereon with relation to said diesto dispose a tab on each carton closure flap in position to be engagedby said crimping die and the flap in position to be engaged by themarking die as the carton is carried past the rotor head, and an anvilmounted adjacent said conveyor in position to support the tab on eachcarton 'while the tab is engaged by said crimping die and to support theflap of each carton while the flap is engaged by the marking die.

14. A carton closing machine comprising the combination of a conveyorfor advancing a succession of cartons in a predetermined path with twoopposed open closure flaps of each carton projecting laterally from thebody of the carton, a rotor head rotatably mounted adjacent theconveyor, means for rotating the head in timed relation with theconveyor, a crimping die carried by said head and projecting radiallybeyond the periphery thereof, a marking die carried by said head andprojecting beyond the periphery thereof, means on the conveyor forindexing the cartons thereon with relation to said dies to dispose a tabon one of the closure flaps of each carton in position to be engaged bysaid crimping die and said one flap in position to be engaged by themarking die as the carton is carried past the rotor head, an anvilmounted adjacent said conveyor in position to support the tab of eachcarton while the tab is engaged by said crimping die and to support saidone flap of each carton while the flap is engaged by the marking die,and means mounted adjacent the conveyor for closing the flaps of eachcarton subsequently to engagement ofthe tab by the crimping die andengagement of said one flap by the marking die and for inserting the tabof each carton through a slit in the other flap of the same carton.

15. Apparatus for forming a locking offset on a tab projecting from aclosure flap of a sheet material carton, said tab having a laterallyprojecting wing, comprising means for locating the carton with theclosure flap and tab in predetermined position, a clamping die and anan-v vil mounted in cooperative association with said locating means toengage the tab between the die and the anvil with an edge of the dieextending transversely of said wing, and means for operating the die toexert crimping pressure on the tab to grip the tab along said edge ofthe die and thereby offset the wing from the general plane of the tab.

16. Apparatus for ofisetting part of a tab projecting from a closureflap of a sheet material carton, comprising means for locating thecarton with said tab part in a-predetermined position, a crimping dieand an anvil means mounted in cooperative relation with said locatingmeans to receive the tab part between the die and the anvil means, andmeans for effecting relative movement between the die and the anvilmeans to exert crimping pressure on said tab part.

17. Apparatus for ofrsetting a part of a carton flap, comprising meansfor locating the carton with said part of the flap thereof in apredetermined position, a crimping die and an anvil means mounted incooperative association with each other and in cooperative associationwith said locating means to engage said part of the carton flap betweenthe die and the anvil means, and means for operating the die to exertcrimping pressure on said part of the flap.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS732,703 Brown July 7, 1903 1,962,638 Czerweny June 12, 1934 2,832,270Pierce a. Apr. 29, 19 58

